Physics 221

Quizes and Examinations

Fall 2006
Porter Johnson
Physics can only be learned by thinking, writing, and worrying.
-David Atkinson and Porter Johnson (2002)
There is no royal road to geometry.
-Euclid
1. PHYS 221 - 005, QUIZ 1, 31 August 2006
A block of mass M = 5kg, initially at rest on a horizontal table, is attached
to a rigid support by a spring with spring constant k = 5000N/m. A bullet
of mass m = 5 grams and speed of v = 1000 meters per second strikes and
is imbedded in the block. Assume that the compression of the spring is
negligible until the bullet is imbedded, and determine the following:
the speed of the block immediately after the collision.
the maximum compression of the spring.
the period of the resulting simple harmonic motion.
Solution:
During the collision mechanical energy is converted into heat, whereas mo-
mentum is conserved. Thus, if the nal speed of bullet plus block is V,
then
m v = (M+m) V
or
V = mv/(M+m) = (5/5005) 1000 1 m/s
If the maximum compression of the spring is d, then the kinetic energy of
block plus bullet just after the collision is equal to the compressional energy
at maximum compression:
1
2
k d
2
=
1
2
(M+m)V
2
d
2
= (M+m)V
2
/k = (5.005)(1)
2
/(5000) 0.001
d 0.03 m
From Newtons second law for the mass plus string, the displacement of the
spring, x(t), satises the differential equation
(M+m) x = F =kx
or
a =
k
M+m
x =
2
x
so that
2
= k/(M +m) = 5000/(5.005) 1000. Thus 32 rad/sec,
corresponding to a period T = 2/ 0.2 sec.
This is the basis for the ballistic pendulum, which occasionally appeared
in general physics laboratories several decades ago. It was also used by
forensic specialists to measure muzzle speeds. What do they do now?
2. PHYS 221 - 006, QUIZ 1, 01 September 2006
A loudspeaker diaphragm is oscillating in simple harmonic motion with a
frequency of f = 500 Hz and a maximum displacement of A = 1.0 mm.
Determine the following:
the angular frequency of vibration.
the maximum speed of the diaphragm.
the maximum acceleration of the diaphragm.
Solution:
Simple harmonic motion:
= 2f = 1000 3100 rad/sec
x = Asint
v =
dx
dt
= Acost
a =
dv
dt
=
2
Asint
Thus
v
max
= A 3100 (0.001) = 3.1 m/s
a
max
=
2
A (3100)
2
(0.001) 9800 m/s
2
Note: The maximumacceleration corresponds to 1000 g, and the diaphragm
will surely be ripped to pieces. Why is vibration at high frequency more
damaging than at low frequency?
3. PHYS 221 - 003, QUIZ 1, 07 September 2006
The speed of a transverse wave on a string is v
T
= 200 meters per second,
when the string tension is T = 150 Newtons.
Determine the mass per unit length of the string.
What tension T

is required in the string to raise the wave speed to

v

= 250 meters per second?

Solution:
The speed of transverse vibrations is v =
_
T/, so that the mass per unit
length is
= T/v
2
= (150)/(200)
2
= 3/800 0.0038 kg/m
A string of mass per unit length and tension T has transverse speed v =
_
T/.
The same string, with tension T

, has transverse vibration speed v

=
_
T

/.
Thus
v

v
=
_
T

T
T

= T
_
v

v
_
2
= 150
_
250
200
_
2
230 N
Ergo the greater the tension the higher the pitch. You can check it out on
a guitar even a toy guitar.
4. PHYS 221 - 004, QUIZ 1, 12 September 2006
Astring of length L =1.5 meters has a mass of m=4.0 grams. It is stretched
between xed supports with a tension of T = 25 Newtons.
Determine the speed of transverse vibrations of the string.
What is the lowest resonant frequency of this string, in Hertz?
Solution:
The mass per unit length is
= m/L = (0.004 kg)/(1.5 m) 2.710
3
kg/m
Thus the velocity is
v =

=
_
25
2.710
3

9200 96 m/s
For the lowest resonant mode, = 2L = 3 meters, and f = v/ 96/3 =
32 Hz. This is an elephant rumble.
5. PHYS 221 - 005, QUIZ 2, 14 September 2006
A point source emits P = 50 watts of sound isotropically. A small micro-
phone intercepts the sound in an area of A
mike
=0.5 cm
2
, a distance R =200
meters from the source. Calculate the power P
mike
intercepted by the micro-
phone, in Watts, as well as the sound intensity I
mike
at the microphone, in
Watts per meter-squared and in deciBels.
Solution:
The isotropic source has intensity I = P/(4R
2
) at a distance R, so that
I
mike
= 50/(4 200
2
) 9.95 10
5
W/m
2
. The corresponding deciBel
reading is
= 10 log
10
_
I
mike
I
threshold
_
10 log
10
_
9.9510
5
10
12
_
= 10 log
10
(9.9510
7
) = 10 (7.9097) 79 dB.
The sound is thus loud, but not painful. Recall that a hundred Watt ampli-
er requires 100W of electric power, but converts only a small amount of it
into acoustic energy.
The power into the microphone is
P
mike
= I
mike
A
mike
= (9.9510
5
) (510
4
) 510
9
W
A few nanoWatts, thus. Be sure to stand close to the microphone when you
speak!
6. PHYS 221 - 006, QUIZ 2, 15 September 2006
A pipe L = 1.0 meters long and closed at one end is lled with an unknown
gas. The third lowest harmonic frequency is measured to be f = 600 Hz.
What is the speed of sound v in the unknown gas?
What is the fundamental frequency f
0
for this pipe when it is lled
with the unknown gas?
Solution:
For the pipe of length L with one end closed the fundamental mode cor-
responds to a quarter wavelength; = L/4. (a node at closed end, and an
antinode at the open end). The resonant wavelengths are L = (2n +l)/4,
for n = 0, 1, 2, .
The third wavelength, n = 2, gives l = 5
2
/4, so that
2
= 4L/5 = 0.8 m.
This mode has a frequency f
2
= 600 Hz, so that the speed of sound inside
the pipe is v = f = 0.8 600 = 480 m/s.
For the fundamental mode

o
= 4L = 4 m
f
o
= v/
o
= 480/4 = 120 Hz
The speed of sound on a gas depends upon the atom / molecule involved, as
well as the temperature. What gas is in this tube?
7. PHYS 221 - 003, QUIZ 2, 21 September 2006
Two equal positive charges, +Q, are placed on opposite sides of a square of
side a. Two equal negative charges, q, are placed on the two other sides.
Determine the ratio Q/q, if the net force on each of the positive charges +Q
is zero.
Solution:
Put the postive charges +Q at locations (0, 0) and (a, a), with the negative
charges q at locations (a, 0) and (0, a).
The forces on the charge at the origin come from the other three charges.
The charge +Q lies at distance

2a, so that the magnitude of the force

F
2
is kQ
2
/(2a
2
). The two negative charges, which lie at distance a from that
charge, produce forces

F
1
and

F
3
, respectively. They are each of magnitude
kQq/a
2
. We separate these forces into components as indicated below:
Location Force x-component y-component
(a, 0)

F
1
|
kQq
a
2
0
(a, a)

F
2
|
kQ
2
2

2a
2

kQ
2
2

2a
2
(0, a)

F
3
| 0
kQq
a
2

F
total
| 0 0
For the net force on the charge at the origin to be zero, we must have
kQq
a
2
=
kQ
2
2

2a
2
or q = Q/(2

2).
The net electric eld on the charge at (a, a) also vanishes, by symmetry.
Note: The forces on the negative charges do not vanish. They go ying
away from one another in a diagonal direction never to return! The net
electric force on the negative charge at (0, a) is (

21) kQ
2
/(2a
2
).
8. PHYS 221 - 004, QUIZ 2, 26 September 2006
Two positive charges, each of magnitude Q = 10
6
Coulombs are placed
symmetrically on opposite sides of an insulating wire, each a distance d =1
meter from the wire along a line perpendicular to the wire. A negative
charge q = 10
6
Coulombs is imbedded on a bead that slides smoothly
along the wire. The mass of the bead is m = 0.001 kg.
If the bead lies a (small) distance x to the right of the center line joining
the positive charges, determine the net force on the bead.
Determine the frequency f of small oscillations of the bead about
the line joining the positive charges.
Solution:
The force of attraction of the bead (negative charge q) and each positive
charge +Q is of magnitude
F
o
=
kQ |q|
r
2
=
kQ |q|
d
2
+x
2
Each force points toward the positive charge in question. The vertial com-
ponent of the total force on the bead is zero, by up-down symmetry.
The net force on the bead is thus horizontal, and of magnitude 2F
o
cos,
where is the angle between a force direction and the x-direction. The
angle occurs in a right triangle with adjacent side x, opposite side d, and
hypoteneuse is r =

d
2
+x
2
. Thus,
cos = x/r =
x

d
2
+x
2
When x is extremely small in comparison to d; that is, x d; we may drop
x in comparison to d in the denominator to obtain r d and cos x/d.
Thus the horizontal force on the bead is (approximately)
F
x
=2F
o
cos 2
kQ |q|
d
2

x
d
=
2kQ |q|
d
3
x
The direction of the resultant force is to the left; that is, the x direction.
According to Newtons second law,

F = ma, the bead should accelerate to
the left when x is positive, with x-component
a
x
= F
x
/m =
2kQ |q|
md
3
x
Since the restoring force is opposite in direction to the displacement, this
corresponds to simple harmonic motion, as seen fromthe relation a =
2
x.
We therefore obtain

2
=
2kQ |q|
md
3
By putting in the numbers, we obtain
F
o
=
kQ |q|
d
2

(910
9
) 10
6
10
6
(1)
2
= 910
3
N
Thus
F
x
2 (910
3
N)
x
1 mt
=1.810
2
N
mt
x(mt)
Thus, effective spring constant is present; k
e f f
1.8 10
2
N/mt. We
compute the corresponding angular velocity:

2
= k
e f f
/m 18
4.2 rad/sec
f = /(2) 0.7 Hz
T = 1/ f 1.4 sec
Could this vibration be used to create an electric clock? Why or why not?
9. PHYS 221 - 005 QUIZ 3 28 September 2006
A ring of radius R contains a total charge q, distributed uniformly along it.
A second ring, placed concentrically and in same plane as the rst ring, is of
radius 2R, and it contains total charge Q, again distributed uniformly along
it. The electric eld along the axis of the ring at a distance R from its center
is measured and found to be zero. Determine the charge Q on the second
ring. You may express your answer in terms of q and R.
Solution:
We begin by considering the electric eld produced by the inner ring, which
contains a charge q spread uniformly over its circumference, a circle of
radius r, along the axis of symmetry and a distance z from the center of the
circle. The electric eld E
1
lies along the symmetry axis. We may calculate
that component E
1z
by integrating over the charge distribution:
E
1z
=
Z
dE
1z
= k
Z
dq
r
cos
The distance r =

R
2
+z
2
, and cos = z/r = z/

R
2
+z
2
. As a conse-
quence
E
1z
= k
Z
dq

R
2
+z
2
z

R
2
+z
2
=
kqz
(R
2
+z
2
)
3/2
The eld from the second ring is obtained by making the replacements q
Q and R 2R, to obtain
E
2z
==
kQz
(4R
2
+z
2
)
3/2
The total eld on axis is
E
z
= E
1z
+E
2z
=
kqz
(R
2
+z
2
)
3/2
+
kQz
(4R
2
+z
2
)
3/2
That eld vanishes at the point z = R, under the condition
kqR
2

2R
3
+
kQR
5

5R
3
= 0
or
Q =
5

5
2

2
q
The charges on the ring must be of opposite signs for the eld to vanish at
the point in question.
10. PHYS 221 - 006 QUIZ 3 29 September 2006
Three particles, each with positive charge Q, form an equilateral triangle,
with the sides of length a. What is the magnitude and direction of the elec-
tric eld produced by the particles at the midpoint of a particular side?
Solution:
Let us draw the equilateral triangle with a a horizontal base, and take the
point in question on the base. There are two charges on that base, at dis-
tances a/2 fromthe that point. Their elds are each of magnitude kQ/(a/2)
2
,
and lie in opposite directions, so that they cancel. In addition, there is a
charge Q at a height h =
_
a
2
(a/2)
2
=

3a/2 above the point, which

produces a downward electric eld
E
z

kQ
h
2
=
4kQ
3a
2
Thus, the net electric eld is downward, with that downward component.
11. PHYS 221 - 003 QUIZ 3 05 October 2006
A thin (insulating) disk of radius R contains a total charge Q imbedded
uniformly into its surface.
Determine the magnitude and the direction of the electric eld at points
along the axis of the disk, at distance z from its axis.
A second identical disk contains total charge Q that is imbedded
uniformly into its surface. It is placed coaxially with the rst disc,
with the two disks lying in parallel planes. The separation of these
two discs is 2R.
Determine the magnitude and direction of the electric eld at a point
halfway between the disks, along the axis of symmetry.
Solution:
Let us begin by calculating the electric eld on axis at a distance z from
the rst disk. It lies along that axis, by symmetry. Let us divide the disk
into thin concentric onion rings of radius r, which contain a total charge
dq. Since the charge density on the disk is = Q/(R
2
), the charge in a
ring is dq = dS. where dS is area of a ring of radius r and thickness dr;
dS = 2rdr. Thus, dq = 2Qrdr/R
2
, and the axial component of the electric
eld produced by hat ring is
dE
z
= dEcos =
kdq
r
2
+z
2
z

r
2
+z
2
=
kzdq
(r
2
+z
2
)
3/2
=
2kQz
R
2
rdr
(r
2
+z
2
)
3/2
The total electric eld may be found by integrating over r:
E
z
=
2kQz
R
2
Z
R
0
rdr
(r
2
+z
2
)
3/2
=
2kQz
R
2
Z
R
0
d
_

r
2
+z
2
_
=
2kQz
R
2
_
1
z

R
2
+z
2
_
=
2kQ
R
2
_
1
z

R
2
+z
2
_
=

2
0
_
1
z

R
2
+z
2
_
We set z = R to obtain the electric eld from the rst disk:
E
1z
=

2
0
_
1
1

2
_
The second disk is negatively charged, and the same distance from the point
in question, so that the total eld from the two disks is twice this value:
E
z
=

0
_
1
1

2
_
12. PHYS 221 - 004 QUIZ 3 10 October 2006
A point charge +Q is placed inside a thin hollow isolated conducting spher-
ical shell of radius R at the center of that shell, as shown. A total charge
2Q is placed on that conducting shell, as well. Determine the magnitude
and direction of the electric eld everywhere inside and outside the shell.
Solution:
Let us apply Gausss Law to an arbitrary concentric sphere of radius r:

0
I

E

dS = Q
enc
Because of spherical symmetry, the electric eld on that spherical surface
has only a radial eld E
r
, which is independent of location on the surface.
Thus

0
E
r
I
dS = Q
enc

0
E
r
4r
2
= Q
enc
E
r
=
Q
enc
4
0
r
2
=
kQ
enc
r
2
The only charge inside the conducting shell (r < R) is a point charge +Q at
the center, so that the electric eld is radially outward and of magnitude
E
r
=
kQ
r
2
Eithin the conductor, the electric eld must vanish. Consequently, there
must be net charge Q distributed uniformly ovr the inner surface of the
conductor. In addition, a charge Q must be distributed uniformly over the
outer surface of the conductor. For r > R the net charge inside the gaussian
surface is Q2Q =Q. Thus the electric eld there is radially inward:
E
r
=
kQ
r
2
13. PHYS 221 - 005 Quiz 4 12 October 2006
Two identical solid, insulating spheres of radius R contain uniformly dis-
tributed charge throughout their interiors. The sphere on the left contains
total charge Q
1
, whereas the right sphere contains total charge Q
2
. The
spheres are placed tangentially at the surface, with their edges touching at
a point. Draw the line joining the centers of the spheres. We observe that
the electric eld vanishes along that line, halfway from the center of the left
sphere, and toward the right sphere. Determine the ratio Q
1
/Q
2
.
Solution:
The location in question lies inside the left sphere, at a distance r = R/2
from its center, as well as outside the right sphere, at a distance r = 3R/2
from its center. Accordingly, the electric eld E
1
arising from the charge in
the left sphere it directed toward the right. Its magnitude can be computed
from Gauss/s Law:
E
1
=
kQ
enc
r
2
=
kQ
1
r
2
r
3
R
3
=
kQ
1
r
R
2
=
kQ
1
2R
2
The electric eld E
2
arising from the charge in the right sphere is directed
to the left, and its magnitude is given by
E
2
=
kQ
enc
r
2
=
kQ
2
r
2
=
4kQ
2
9R
2
We thus have
E
1
= E
2
kQ
1
2R
2
=
4kQ
2
9R
2
Q
1
=
8
9
Q
2
Note that the charges on the two spheres are of the same sign, and nearly
equal in magnitude.
14. PHYS 221 - 006 QUIZ 4 13 October 2006
A charged particle of charge Q is attached in place at the center of a thick
conducting spherical shell. There is no net charge upon the shell itself. The
inner radius of the shell is a, and its outer radius is b, as shown.
Determine the magnitude and direction of the electric eld in each of these
three regions:
r < a: inside the shell
a < r < b: within the shell
r > b outside the shell
Solution:
This is a problem involving spherical symmetry. Accordingly, we choose
Gaussian surfaces that are spheres, centered at the center of the shell. The
electric eld for always lies in a radial direction; let its radial component be
E
r
.For any such Gaussian surface, we apply Gausss law to obtain:

0
I

E

dS = Q
enclosed

0
E
r
(4r
2
) = Q
enclosed
E
r
=
Q
enclosed
4
0
r
2
=
k Q
enclosed
r
2
For r < a, the only charge inside the Gaussian surface (sphere or radius r)
is the point charge at the center, so that Q
enclosed
= Q, and
E
r
=
k Q
r
2
For a < r < b, the surface of the sphere lies entirely within the conductor,
and the (static) electric eld is zero there. Thus E
r
= 0 and Q
enclosed
= 0.
There must be a total charge Q on the inside surface of the shell, at r = a.
For r > b the total charge enclosed in the sphere of radius r is Q, since the
shell itself is electrically neutral. For this region we obtain
E
r
=
k Q
r
2
There must be a net charge +Q on the outer surface of the conducting shell,
to maintain its overall neutrality.
15. PHYS 221 - 004 QUIZ 4 24 October 2006
A 1.0 nanoFarad (nF) capacitor is charged to a potential difference of 20
Volts, and the charging battery is then disconnected.
This 1.0 nF capacitor is THEN connected in parallel with a second (ini-
tially uncharged) capacitor of unknown capacitance C. When equilibrium
is reached, the potential difference across the plates of the 1.0 nF capacitor
is then measured to be 5.0 Volts.
What is the value of the unknown capacitance C, in nanoFarads?
How much electrical energy (in Joules) is stored in the 1.0 nF capaci-
tor just after the battery is disconnected?
How much electrical energy is stored in each of the capacitors when
equilibrium is reached?
Solution:
The charge that is initially on the 1 nF capacitor is
Q
0
=CV = 1.010
9
20 = 2.010
8
C
The electrical energy initially stored in the capacitor is
1
2
CV
2
=
1
2
(10
9
)(20)
2
= 200 nJ
After the connection, that capacitor has a potential of 20 V between the
plates, and its nal charge is
Q
1
= 1.010
9
5 = 0.510
8
C
The charge on the second capacitor is thus Q
2
= Q
0
Q
1
= 1.5 10
8
C.
Since that second capacitor also has a potential of 5 V between its places,
Its capacitance is
C
2
= Q
2
/V
2
= 1.510
8
/5 = 3 nF
The energies stored in the capacitors at equilibrium are
E
1
=
1
2
C
1
V
2
1
=
1
2
(10
9
)(5)
2
= 12.5 nJ
E
2
=
1
2
C
2
V
2
2
=
1
2
(310
9
)(5)
2
= 37.5 nJ
The total electrical energy at equilibriumis thus 50nJ. Consequently, 200nJ
of electrical energy has been dissipated as heat in this process.
16. PHYS 221 - 003 QUIZ 4 26 October 2006
A capacitor with unknown capacitance C and initial potential difference
40 Volts is discharged through a resistor of unknown resistance R, when a
switch between them is closed at time t = 0 sec. At time t = 5 sec, the
potential difference across the resistor is measured to be 15 Volts.
What is the time constant of this RC circuit, in seconds?
What is the potential difference across the capacitor at time t =15 sec?
Solution:
The charge on the capacitor at time t is
Q(t) = Q
0
e
t/
where is the time constant for the circuit. Since Q =CV, we may express
the potential across the capacitor at time t in terms of the potential at t = 0
and the time constant :
V(t) = V
0
e
t/
15 = 40 e
5/
0.375 = e
5/
0.98 =
5

=
5
.98
= 5.1 sec
The potential difference at t = 15 sec is
V(15) = 40 e
15/5.1
= 40 0.053 = 2.1 V
One may also write this result as
V(15) = 40 (15/40)
3
= 2.1 V
17. PHYS 221 - 005 QUIZ 5 02 November 2006
In a capacitor of capacitance 800 nanoFarads, the charge gradually leaks
from one plate to the other over the course of time. Suppose that the capaci-
tor is initially charged to a potential of 30 Volts. After 24 hours, the potential
across its plates has dropped to 20 Volts. By considering an appropriate RC
circuit, determine the equivalent resistance between the plates, in Ohms.
Solution:
The charge on the capacitor at time t is given in terms of its charge Q
0
at
time t = 0 and the time constant t = RC as
Q(t) = Q
0
e
t/RC
Since Q(t) =CV(t), where C is the capacitance, it follows that
V(t) = V
0
e
t/RC
30
20
= 1.5 = e
t/RC
ln1.5 0.405 =
24 3600 sec
RC
R =
8.6410
4
0.405 (810
7
)
2.6610
11

One may obtain an approximate solution by saying that, in 24 hours, the

charge leaked across the capacitor is
Q =CV = (810
7
) 10 = 810
6
C
Thus, the average current owing during this time is
I =
Q
t
=
810
6
8.6410
4
= 9.210
11
A
The resistance R is given by the average Voltage across the capacitor (25
Volts) divided by this current:
R =
25
9.210
11
= 2.710
11

This resistance is high, because the capacitor remains charged for a long
time.
18. PHYS 221 - 006 QUIZ 5 03 November 2006
Two wires, A and B, are made from different materials, with different cross-
sectional areas. The wires are each cut to a length of 1 meter, an connected
in series. A current of 3.0A passes through the wires.
Wire Resistivity Area
A 1.010
6
m 3.010
4
m
2
B 2.010
6
m 4.010
4
m
2
What is the potential drop (in Volts) across each wire? At what rate is
electrical energy converted into heat (in Watts) in each wire?
Solution:
First, calculate the resistances of each wire:
R
A
=

A
L
A
S
A
=
1.010
6
1
3.010
4
= 0.0033
R
B
=

B
L
B
S
B
=
2.010
6
1
4.010
4
= 0.005
Thus the voltages across each wire are V
A
= R
A
I = 0.01 V and V
B
= R
B
I =
0.015 V.
The power lost in each resistor can then be computed:
P
A
= IV
A
= 0.03 W P
B
= IV
B
= 0.045 W
19. PHYS 221 - 004 QUIZ 5 07 November 2006
A temperature-stable resistor is made by connecting a resistor made of Sil-
icon in series with one made of Iron. If the required total resistance is 1000
Ohms, at temperatures around 20
o
C, what should the respective resistances
of the Silicon and the Iron resistor be?
Note: Temperature coefcients of resistivity a (in K
1
):
Iron: 6.510
3
Silicon: 7010
3
Solution:
At the reference temperature of 20
o
C, the resistances must add to 1000 :
R
Fe
+R
Si
= 1000
When the temperature changes by an amount T, the individual resistances
change, but the total resistance remains the same:
R
Fe
(1+
Fe
T) +R
Si
(1+
Si
T) = 1000
As a consequence

Fe
R
Fe
+
Si
R
Si
= 0
6.5 R
Fe
70 R
Si
= 0
R
Fe
= 10.8 R
Si
Thus we obtain
R
Si
=
1000
11.8
= 85
R
Fe
= 1000 R
Si
= 915
Notice that, because the (negative) temperature coefcient of resistivity of
the semiconducting material silicon is much larger in magnitude than the
(positive) temperature coefcient for iron, the resistance of the silicon resis-
tor is much less than that of the iron resistor.
20. PHYS 221 - 003 QUIZ 5 09 November 2006
A ash Lamp L is placed across a capacitor of capacitance C = 0.20 F.
The combination is connected in series with a resistor of resistance R =
5 10
4
and a battery of Voltage 60 Volts. The switch is closed at time
t = 0. How much time elapses before the Voltage across the lamp reaches
40 Volts - at which point the lamp ashes briey?
Note: The ash lamp does not conduct electricity at all until the Voltage
across it reaches 40 Volts.
Solution:
The time constant for the circuit is
= RC = (2.010
7
F) (510
4
) = 0.01 sec
The charge on the capacitor is obtained from Kirchhoffs loop equation to
be
Q(t) =CE(1e
t/
)
Thus the Voltage across the capacitor is
V(t) = Q(t)/C =E(1e
t/
)
The battery voltage is E = 60 V, and the time at which the Voltage across
the capacitor is 40 V satises the relation
40 = 60(1e
t/(.01
)
1/3 = e
t/(.01)
3 = e
t/
ln3 1.10 = t/(.01)
t 1.110
2
sec
This circuit produces over 80 ashes per second.
21. PHYS 221 - 005 QUIZ 6 16 November 2006
The Dees of a cyclotron of radius 80 cm are operated at an oscillator fre-
quency of 6.0 MHz to accelerate protons.
What is the (uniform) magnetic eld in the cyclotron?
What is the speed of the protons that leave the cyclotron, in meters per
second?
What is the kinetic energy of the protons that leave the cyclotron, in
electron Volts?
Note:
e
0
= 1.610
19
C
m
p
= 1.6710
27
kg
m
p
c
2
= 938 MeV
Solution:
The force produced by the magnetic eld must equal the mass of the proton
multiplied by its (centripetal) acceleration:
mv
2
r
= qvB
=
v
r
=
qB
m
= 2f
Thus
B =
m(2f )
q
=
(1.6710
27
) (2) (610
6
))
1.610
19
= 0.39 T
and
v =R = 2(610
6
) (0.8) = 3.010
7
m/s
The kinetic energy is
K =
1
2
mv
2
=
1
2
(1.6710
27
) (3.010
7
)
2
= 0.7610
12
J
=
7.610
13
1.610
19
eV = 4.7 MeV
The speed is about ten percent of the speed of light, and the non-relativistic
approximation is fairly good.
22. PHYS 221 - 006 QUIZ 6 17 November 2006
The current density inside a long, solid, cylindrical wire of radius R lies
in the direction of the central axis. Its magnitude varies linearly with the
distance r from that central axis, J = J
0
r/R.
Calculate the total current I owing in the wire, expressed in terms of
J
0
and R.
Find the magnitude and direction of the magnetic eld everywhere
inside the wire.
Solution:
The total current passing through a circle of radius r that is concentric with
the axis of the wire may be computed by integration of the current density:
I
enc
(r) =
Z
JdA =
Z
r
0
J
0
r
R
2rdr =
2J
0
R
r
3
3
Thus the total current inside the wire is I
enc
(R) = 2J
0
R
2
/3.
The magnetic eld inside the wire is given by Ampres Law:
I

B

d =
0
I
enc
B
t
(2r) =
2
0
J
0
R
r
3
3
B
t
=

0
J
0
r
2
3R
23. PHYS 221 - 004 QUIZ 6 28 November 2006
A solenoid having an inductance of L = 2 mH is connected in series with a
R = 40 k resistor and an E = 30 Volt (DC) battery. The switch is closed
at time t = 0.
What is the nal current owing in the circuit a long time after the
switch is closed? How much energy is stored in the inductor at that
time?
At what time after the switch is closed is the current equal to 95 percent
of its nal value?
Solution:
According to Kirchhoffs Loop Equation,
E = L
dI
dt
+RI
At very long times, the current is no longer changing, so that E =rI, so that
I

=
E
R
= 30410
4
= 7.510
4
A
The energy stored in the inductor is
U =
1
2
LI
2

=
1
2
210
3
(7.510
4
)
2
= 5.610
10
J
From Kirchhoffs Loop Equation, and the requirement that at t = 0 the cur-
rent vanishes, we obtain
E
L
=
dI
dt
+
R
L
I
E
R
d
dt
_
e
Rt/L
_
=
d
dt
_
I e
Rt/L
_
E
R
_
e
Rt/L
1
_
= I(t)e
Rt/L
I(0)
I(t) =
E
R
_
1e
Rt/L
_
When the current equals 0.95I

, we have
0.95 = 1e
Rt/L
e
Rt/L
= 0.05
Rt
L
= 3.0
t =
3L
R
=
3 (210
3
)
410
4
= 1.510
7
sec
24. PHYS 221 - 003 QUIZ 6 30 November 2006
An oscillating LC circuit consists of a C = 3.0 mf (microFarad) capacitor
and an L = 20 mH (milliHenry) inductor. The maximum voltage across the
capacitor is V
m
= 40 Volts.
What is the maximum charge on the capacitor?
What is the maximum current through the inductor?
What is the frequency of oscillation of the charge on the capacitor?
Solution:
The maximum charge on the capacitor is expressed in terms of the capaci-
tance C and the maximum voltage V
m
as
Q
m
=CV
m
= (310
6
) 40 = 1.210
4
C
The maximum energy in the capacitor Q
2
m
/(2C), is equal to the maximum
energy in the inductor LI
2
m
/2:
1
2
Q
2
m
C
=
1
2
LI
2
m
I
2
m
= Q
2
m
1
LC
=
1.4410
8
610
8
= 0.24
I
m
= 0.49A
The resonant angular frequency is
=
1

LC
=
1

610
8
=
1
2.4510
4
= 4100 rad/sec
Then f =/(2) = 600 Hz
Fall 2006 Examinations:
PHYS 221 - 003/004, TEST 1, 27 September 2006
1. [20 points] A ideal massless spring with spring constant k = 20 N/m hangs
vertically from the ceiling. A body of mass m = 0.5 kg is attached to its
free end and then released. Assume that the spring was not stretched at all
before the release.
How far below its initial position x = 0 does the body descend before
turning around?
What is the amplitude and period of the resulting simple harmonic
motion?
Solution:
The mechanical energy of this system at a displacement x below the starting
point, when the body has speed v, is
1
2
kx
2
mgx +
1
2
mv
2
= 0
This quantity vanishes, because body is released with speed v =0 at position
x = 0. The body stops at position
x =
2mg
k
=
2 0.5 9.8
20
= 0.49 m
The block executes SHM about the position x = mg/k = 0.245 m, with am-
plitude A = 0.245 m. This can be seen by writing the relation of energy
conservation in the form
1
2
k
_
x
mg
k
_
2
+
1
2
mv
2
=
1
2
k
_
mg
k
_
2
The period of this motion is
T = 2
_
m
k
= 2
_
0.5
20
=
2

40
1sec
Note that x = mg/k is the equilibrium position of the body when suspended
by the spring.
2. [20 points] An organ pipe produces sound in two normal modes correspond-
ing to adjacent resonant frequencies of exactly 500 Hz and 600 Hz, respec-
tively. The velocity of sound in air is 350 meters per second.
Are both ends of the pipe open, or is one end closed?
What is the lowest resonant frequency (fundamental mode) of this or-
gan pipe?
How long is the pipe?
Solution:
Let us rst consider the case in which both ends of the pipe are open. The
ends of the pipes must be anti-nodes in that case, so that precisely n half-
wavelengths of sound lie inside the pipe: L = n/2, or = 2L/n. The
resonant frequencies are
f
n
=
c

=
nc
2L
Thus, adjacent frequencies f
n
and f
n+1
satisfy the relation
f
n+1
f
n
=
n+1
n
600
500
= 1+
1
n
1+0.2 = 1+
1
n
n = 5
In this case, the fundamental frequency is f
1
= 100 Hz, and the length of
the pipe L satises the relation
c
2L
=
350
2L
= f
1
= 100
Consequently L = 1.75 m.
For the case of open and closed ends, the closed end is a node and the open
end is an anti-node, so that L = (2n+1)/4. Consequently,
f
n
=
(2n+1)c
4L
and
f
n+1
f
n
=
2n+3
2n+1
600
500
= 1+
2
2n+1
1+0.2 = 1+
2
2n+1
n = 4.5
This case is impossible, since n is not an integer, as required.
3. [20 points] A uniform string of mass 30 grams and length 2.0 meters with
xed ends is driven in its fundamental mode, so that the amplitude of motion
of the center of the string is 0.5 cm. The tension in the spring is 80 Newtons.
Note: Neglect gravity.
Determine the resonant frequency of this fundamental mode.
Determine the maximum velocity of a point at the center of the string.
Determine the maximum acceleration of a point at the center of the
string.
Solution:
The wavelength of vibrations of the string in its fundamental mode is =
2L = 4.0 m. Thus the mass per unit length of the string is = m/L =
0.03/2.0 kg/m = 0.015 kg/m. The velocity of transverse vibrations is
v =

800.015 72 m/s
The resonant frequency is thus
f =
v

=
72
4
= 18 Hz
The corresponding angular frequency is = 2f 110 rad/sec. The dis-
placement of the string at position x; (0 < x < L) and time t is
y(x, t) = Asin
x
L
cos(t)
At x = L/2, we obtain
y(t) = Asin

2
cos(t) = Acos(t)
Thus
v
y
=
dy
dt
= Asin(t)
a
y
=
dv
y
dt
=
2
Acos(t)
The maximum velocity is v
m
= A = (110) (0.005) = 0.55m/s, whereas
the maximum acceleration is a
m
=
2
A = (0.55) 110 = 65m/sec
2
. This
maximum accelation at the center is more than 6 gs.
4. [20 points] Two tiny conducting balls of identical mass (m = 1 gram) and
identical charge (Q=1 microCoulomb = 10
6
C) hang fromnon-conducting
threads of length L, which are attached to a point on the ceiling. The threads
each make an angle of = 30
o
with the vertical axis.
Show all the forces acting on the balls, including their weight.
Determine the length of the thread, in meters.
Solution:
The point on the ceiling and the two balls lie at vertices of an equilateral
triangle, so that the distance between the balls is L. Consequently, the force
of Coulombic repulsion between the ball is F = kQ
2
/L
2
. The three forces
acting on the ball its weight mg (downward), the tension in the string (30
o
from the vertical, and the Coulombic repulsion (horizontal) must sum to
zero. Consequently, these vectors lie along a 30
o
60
o
90
o
triangle, so
that
tan30
o
=
1

3
=
F
mg
F =
kQ
2
L
2
=
mg

3
=
0.001 9.8
0.577
= 0.0057 N
L
2
=
kQ
2
mg/

3
=
910
3
0.0057
= 1.5
L = 1.2 m
This is a point of stable equilibrium.
5. [20 points] A total charge Q is distributed uniformly around a thin circular
ring of radius R.
Determine the magnitude and direction of the electric eld along the
axis of symmetry of the ring, a distance z from the center of the ring.
Determine the distance at which the magnitude of the electric eld is
a maximum. You may express the answer in terms of R.
Solution:
By symmetry, the electric eld lies along the axis of symmetry of the ring.
The contribution of an innitesimal piece of charge on the ring to that eld
component is
dE
z
=
kdq
r
2
cos
where r
2
= R
2
+z
2
and cos = z/r. The total electric eld may be obtained
by integration over the charge distribution of the ring:
E
z
=
Z
dE
z
=
kz
(R
2
+z
2
)
3/2
Z
dq =
kQz
(R
2
+z
2
)
3/2
To obtain the value of z corresponding to the maximum eld, we calculate
dE
z
/dz and set it to zero:
dE
z
dz
=
kQ
(z
2
+R
2
)
5/2
_
(z
2
+R
2
) 3z
2
_
= 0
We get R
2
2z
2
= 0, or z = R/

2.
6. [Extra Credit; 10 points] A particular 500 Hz isotropic sound source is
barely audible (at the threshold of hearing) at a distance of 2 kilometers.
Note: Please ignore background noise, sound absorption, sound reection,
etc.
How much acoustic power is being produced at the source?
At what distance from the source would the intensity be at the 50 dB
(deciBel) level, corresponding to normal conversation.
Solution:
The intensity at the threshold of hearing is I
th
= 10
12
W/m
2
. At a distance
r = 2.010
3
m, the acoustic power is given by
P = I
th
(4r
2
) = 4(2.010
3
)
2
10
12
= 1610
6
W = 510
5
W
At = 50 dB, the intensity satises the relation
= 50 = 10log
10
_
I
I
th
_
10
5
=
I
I
th
I = 10
7
W/m
2
=
P
4r
2
Thus
r
2
=
P
4I
=
510
5
410
7
= 40
and r = 6.5 m.
PHYS 221 - 005/006, TEST 1, 27 September 2006
1. [20 points] A 200 gram stone is attached to the bottom of an ideal massless
spring that is suspended from the ceiling. The stone is pulled downward
from its equilibrium position, and then released (vertical motion). If the
maximum speed of the stone is 50 cm/sec, and the period is 1.0 sec, nd
the following:
The spring constant k.
The amplitude of motion (relative to the equilibrium position).
The frequency of oscillation.
Solution:
The frequency of oscillation of the stone is f = 1/T = 1 Hz. The angular
frequency is = 2f = 6.3 rad/sec. The corresponding spring constant is
k = m
2
= 0.2 (6.3)
2
= 8 N/m The maximum speed is v
m
= A, so that
the corresponding amplitude is A = 0.5/(6.3) = 0.08 m.
2. [20 points] Two uniform strings, each of length 80 cm, are held at the same
tension of 100 Newtons. The rst string has a mass 10.0 grams, whereas the
second has mass 10.5 grams. Each of the strings is driven in its fundamental
mode.
Determine the frequency of vibration of the rst string.
Is the vibrational frequency of the second string higher or lower than
for the rst spring? Explain.
Determine the frequency of beats for the two strings.
Solution:
The wavelength of the fundamental mode of the rst string is = 2L =
1.6 m. The mass per unit length of that string is = m/L = 0.01/0.8 =
0.012 kg/m. The velocity of transverse vibrations of that string is
v =

100 80 = 89 m/s
The corresponding frequency of vibration is f = v/ = 56 Hz.
The frequency of a vibrating spring in the fundamental mode is given by
f =
1
2L

As a consequence for the two strings the ratio of frequencies is

f
f

=
_
10.5
10
= 1.025
Thus, the frequency f

for the second spring is less than f for the rst spring.
We have
f f

= .025 f = 1.4 Hz
3. [20 points] A violin string of mass 1.0 grams and length 20 cm produces
sound at a fundamental frequency of 500 Hz.
Determine the tension in the string.
Determine the wavelength and frequency of transverse waves on the
string.
Determine the wavelength of the sound produced in the air.
Note: The velocity of sound in the air is 350 meters per second.
Solution:
The mass per unit length of the violin string is = m/L = 0.001/0.2 =
0.005 kg/m. The wavelength for the fundamental mode is = 2L = 0.4 m.
The velocity of transverse vibrations is
v =f = 200 m/s =

The tension is thus given by

T = (0.005) (200)
2
= 200N
The frequency of sound in air is also 500 H. The wavelength of sound is
given by

= v
sound
/ f = 350/500 = 0.7 m
4. [20 points] Four charges, +Q, +2Q, Q, and 2Q, are placed at vertices
of a square of side a, at these respective locations: (0, 0), (a, 0), (a, a), (0, a).
Determine the magnitude and direction of the net electrostatic force acting
on the charge +Q, which is located at (0, 0).
Solution:
The forces caused by the other three charge are tabulated below:
charge f orce x comp y comp
+2Q
2kQ
2
a
2

2kQ
2
a
2
0
Q
kQ
2
2a
2
kQ
2
2

2a
2
kQ
2
2

2a
2
2Q
2kQ
2
a
2
0
2kQ
2
a
2
total
kQ
2
a
2
(
1
2

2
2)
kQ
2
a
2
(
1
2

2
+2)
Thus,

F =
kQ
a
2
_
1.65

i +2.35

j

The magnitude of the force is 2.87kQ/a

2
, and its direction is 124
o
from the
+x-axis.
5. [20 points] An insulating wire of length L has a total charge Q deposited
uniformly along its length. Determine magnitude and direction of the elec-
tric eld at a point along the (extended) line of the wire, a distance x beyond
the end of the wire.
Solution:
Let the wire lie in a horizontal line, 0 x L, and let the point P be a
distance y to the right if that line. The electric eld points to the left. Its
magnitude is given by
E
y
=
Z
kdq
r
2
The charge dq in a piece of the wire oength dx is given by dq = Qdx/L.
If that charge lies at location x, then its distance to the point P is r = x +y.
Thus
E
y
=
Z
L
0
kQ
L
dx
(x +y)
2
=
kQ
L
_

1
x +y
_
x=L
x=0
=
kQ
L
_

1
L+y
+
1
y
_
=
kQ
L
L
y(y +L)
=
kQ
y(y +L)
6. [Extra Credit; 10 points] One can determine the speed of blood owing in
an artery in the body by measuring the frequency shift of reected high
frequency ultrasound. Sound is produced at a frequency of 5.0 MHz, and
reected signal in blood has its frequency increased by about 5.0 kHz. De-
termine the speed of ow of blood in that artery.
Note: Assume that the blood is owing directly toward the sound source,
and that the velocity of sound in blood is about 1500 meters per second.
Solution:
The incident wave has frequency f
0
= 5.0 MHz. The frequency of sound
reected off the blood is f
1
= f
0
(1+v/c), where c is the speed of sound in
blood. The speed of sound detected back at the source is
f
2
= f
1
/(1v/c) f
1
(1+v/c) f
0
(1+2v/c)
The fractional change of sound is
f / f = ( f
2
f
0
)/ f
0
2v/c
The measured fractional change in frequency is f / f = 5/5000 = 0.001.
Thus v = c/2000 = 0.75 m/s.
PHYS 221 - 003/004, Test 2, 01 November 2006
1. [20 points] A positive charge of +3.00 nC (1nC = 10
9
C) is spread uni-
formly throughout the volume of a sphere of radius R =0.5 meters. What is
the magnitude and direction of the electric eld at the following distances r
from the center of the sphere?
r = 2.0 meters
r = 0.5 meters
r = 0.1 meters
Solution:
The electrical eld is radial, because of spherical symmetry. Take the Gaus-
sian surface to be a concentric sphere of radius r. According to Gausss
Law

0
I

E

dS = Q
enc

0
E
r
(4r
2
) = Q
enc
E
r
=
Q
enc
4
0
1
r
2
E
r
=
kQ
enc
r
2
Thus, at r = 2.0 m,
E
r
= (910
9
) (310
9
)/2
2
= 6.75 N/C
In addition, at r = 0.5 m, E
r
= 108 N/C.
For r R, Q
enc
= Q and E
r
= kQ/r
2
. Inside the sphere for r < R, Q
enc
=
Q(r/R)
3
and
E
r
=
kQ
r
2
r
3
R
3
=
kQr
R
3
Thus, for r = 0.1 m,
E
r
= (910
9
) (310
9
) (0.1)/(0.5)
3
= 22 N/C
2. [20 points] An insulating sphere of radius R = 0.1 meters contains a charge
that is uniformly spread throughout its interior. It observed that there is a
net electric ux of 8 10
4
Nm
2
/C passing out of a concentric spherical
Gaussian surface of radius r = 0.5 meters.
What is the electric potential at a distance of 1.0 meters from the center
of the sphere, in Volts?
What is the total charge on the sphere, in Coulombs?
Solution:
Gausss Law has the form
0

E
= Q
enc
, so that the charge inside a concen-
tric spherical Gaussian surface of radius 0.5 m is Q
enc
= (8.85 10
12
)
(810
4
) = 710
15
C. This is the charge inside the sphere. The electro-
static potential at an arbitrary point outside the sphere, at a distance r from
its center, is V = kQ
enc
/r = (910
9
) (710
15
)/1.0 = 6.410
5
V.
3. [20 points] A capacitor of unknown capacitance C is charged to 200 Volts,
and the charging source is then disconnected. Then it is connected across an
uncharged 50 F capacitor. The nal potential difference across the 50 F
capacitor is 40 Volts. Note: 1 F = 10
6
F.
What is the unknown capacitance C?
How much charge is on each capacitor at the conclusion?
How much electrical energy is stored in the system, before and after
the connection? Does it change? Why or why not?
Solution:
Let q
0
be the charge initially on the capacitor C; note that q
0
= C(200).
That charge is distributed among the two capacitors after the connection:
q
0
= q+q

. Note that q

= (5010
6
) (40) = 2.0 mC, and q = 40C. Thus
q
0
= q+q

200C = 40C+210
3
C = 12.5 F
q
0
= 200 (12.510
6
) = 2.5 mC
The energy initially stored in the capacitor is 1/2(12.5 10
6
)(200)
2
=
250 mJ. The energy stored afterward is 1/2(62.5 10
6
)(40)
2
= 50 mJ.
Note that 4/5 of the energy has been dissipated in the process.
4. [20 points] A steel trolley car rail has a cross-sectional area of 0.01 square
meters. The electrical resistivity of steel is 3.0010
7
m.
What is the resistance of 10 km of trolley rail?
If a current of 100 A is passing through the trolley rail from end to end,
how much energy per unit time is dissipated within the rail?.
Solution:
The resistance of the rail is
R =
L
A
=
310
7
10
4
10
2
= 0.3
The power dissipated is
P = I
2
R = (100)
2
(0.3) = 3000 W
5. [20 points] A capacitor of capacitance 2.0 F leaks slightly, in that charge
passes from one plate to the other over the course of time. The charge on
one of the plates drops to half its value in 20 minutes.
Note 1 F = 10
6
F.
What is the equivalent resistance between the capacitor plates?
Solution:
The charge on the capacitor at time t is
q(t) = q
0
e
t/
Thus
q
0
/2 = q
0
e

2 = e
t/
ln2 = 0.69 =
t

= 20 min/0.69 = 28.85 min = 1730 sec

The resistance R is
R =

C
=
1730
210
6
= 8.710
8

6. [Extra credit; 10 points] A resistor of unknown resistance is connected be-

tween the terminals of an ideal 9.0 Volt battery. The rate of dissipation of
energy in the resistor is 0.05 Watts.
Determine the resistance of the resistor.
If the same resistor is placed between the terminals of an ideal 36 Volt
battery, determine the rate of dissipation of energy in the resistor, in
Watts.
Solution:
From the formula for power lost in the resistor P =V
2
/R, it follows that the
resistance is
R =
V
2
P
=
9
2
0.05
= 1600
The power lost in the 36 V battery is
P

=
36
2
1600
= 0.80 W
PHYS 221- 005/006, TEST 2, 01 November 2006
1. [20 points] Charge of uniform volume density = +2.0 nC/m
3
lls a large
(innite) slab between x =1.0 meters and x = +1.0 meters. There are no
other charges in the vicinity of this large slab. What is the magnitude and
direction of the electric eld at any point with the following coordinates:
Note: 1nC = 10
9
C.
x =2.0 meters
x =0.2 meters
x = +0.0 meters
x = +0.6 meters
x = +4.0 meters
Solution:
The charge distribution is symmetric about the plane x = 0, which lies at
the center of the slab. Thus, the electric eld is zero along that slab, at
x = 0. The electric eld outside lies in the direction of increasing x for
x > 0, whereas for x < 0 it lies in the direction of decreasing x. The charge
per nit area in the slab is =t, where T = 2 m is the thickness of the slab.
Thus, = 210
9
2 = 410
9
C/m
2
. It follows from Gausss law for a
pillbox of area A parallel to the slab and enclosing a piece of it that that the
magnitude of the electric eld E outside the slab is given by

0
I

E

dS = Q
enc

0
E(2A) = A
E =

2
0
=
410
9
2 8.8510
12
= 230 N/C
To determine the eld inside the slab at a distance x from its center, we
take a Gaussian pillbox of area A with bases at on its center plane and at a
distance x from the center. Applying Gausss law, we get

0
I

E

dW = Q
enc

0
E(x)(A) = x
E =
x

0
=
210
9
x
8.8510
12
= 230 x N/C
Thus, at x =0.2, E
x
=45 N/C, whereas at x = 0.6, E
x
= +140 N/C.
2. [20 points] A charge +Q is distributed uniformly throughout a spherical
volume of radius R. Let the electrostatic potential V be zero at innity.
What is the electrostatic potential inside the sphere: r < R?
What is the electrostatic potential outside the sphere: r > R?
What is the potential difference between the center of the sphere (r =
0) and its surface (r = R)?
Solution:
The electric eld is determined through Gausss Law with a concentric
spherical Gaussian surface. Outside the sphere (r > R) we obtain

0
I

E

dS = Q
enc

0
E
r
(4r
2
) = Q
E
r
=
dV
dr
=
kQ
r
2
V(r) =
kQ
r
Inside the sphere, Q
enc
= Qr
3
/R
3
, so that
E
r
=
dV
dr
=
kQ
r
2
r
3
R
3
=
kQr
R
3
V(r) =
kQr
2
2R
3
+V
0
The constant of integration is determined by the requirement that, at r = R,
V(R) = kQ/R, as the point is approached from both inside and outside the
sphere. Thus, V
0
= 3KQ/(2R). Finally,
V(0) V(R) =
3kQ
2R

kQ
R
=
kQ
2R
3. [20 points] A dielectric sphere capacitor is placed by putting dielectric ma-
terial of dielectric constant = 50 between concentric spherical metallic
plates. The inner plate has a radius of r
1
= 1.00 mm, and the outer plate has
a radius of r
2
= 1.05 mm.
Note: 1 mm = 10
3
m.
Determine the capacitance, in Farads.
With a charge of 20 nC on the capacitor, how much electrical energy
is stored in it?
Solution:
Let us apply Gausss law to a concentric spherical surface lying entirely
within the dielectric:

0
I

dS = Q
enc

0
E
r
4pir
2
= Q
E
r
=
kQ
r
2
The potential difference between the plates of the capacitor are
V =
Z
b
a
E
r
dr =
_

kQ
r
_
b
a
=
kQ

_
1
a

1
b
_
=
kQ

ba
ab
= Q/C
The capacitance is
C =

k
ab
ba
=
50
910
9
1.05166
510
5
= 1.1610
10
F
The stored electrical energy is
U =
Q
2
2C
=
(210
8
)
2
2 1.1610
10
= 1.710
6
J
4. [20 points] A fuse in an electric circuit is a wire that is designed to melt, and
thereby to open the circuit, if the current exceeds a predetermined value.
Suppose that the material to be used melts when the current density rises to
500 A/cm
2
.
What diameter of cylindrical wire should be used to make a fuse that
will limit the current to 1.0 A?
What must be the resistivity of the material in the wire, if there is an
electric eld of 10
2
V/m in the wire when it melts?
Solution:
The current density in the wire is J = 5 10
6
A/m
2
, so that for an electric
eld e = 100V/m in the wire, the resistivity must be = E/J = 100/(5
10
6
) = 210
5
m.
When a current I = 1 A is owing, the area of the wire is
A = 1/(510
6
) = 210
7
m
2
Setting A =D
2
/4, we obtain a diameter D = 0.50 mm.
5. [20 points] Two ideal batteries, each of electromotive potential E = +12
Volts, are each connected in series with a 6 resistors and then in parallel
with one other, with opposite polarities. This combination is then placed
across a third resistor, which also has a resistance of 6 . Under steady-state
conditions, determine the magnitude and direction of the current through
each resistor, the power loss in each resistor, and the power provided by
each battery.
Solution:
The current passing through the third resistor is zero, since the batteries have
opposite polarities. Furthermore, the potential drop across each battery-
resistor combination is zero. Thus, The current owing through each resis-
tor is I =2 A. Each battery provides power P=IV =24W, and the resistors
each convert 24 W into thermal energy.
6. [Extra Credit; 10 points] In Millikans experiment, and oil drop of radius
2.0 m and density 0.9 g/cm
3
is suspended (at rest) in a chamber, with a
downward electric eld of 2.010
5
N/C is applied. Find the charge on the
drop, in Coulombs. Do not neglect gravity.
Note: (1m = 10
6
meters)
Solution:
For balance of the forces we obtain
qE = mg
qE =
4r
3
3
g
q =
4
3
r
3
g
E
=
4
3
(210
6
)
3
900 9.8
210
5
= = 1.4410
18
C
This corresponds to about nine electron charges.
PHYS 221 - 003/004, FINAL Examination, 13 December 2006
1. [25 points] The scale of a light spring balance that reads from 0 to m=20 kg
is x = 8.0 cm long. A package suspended from the balance is found to
oscillate vertically from the spring balance with a frequency of 1.5 Hz.
What is the spring constant k, in N/m?
What is the mass of the package, in kg?
Solution:
The spring constant is k = mg/x = 20 9.8/0.08 = 2450 N/m. The angular
frequency of vibration is = 2f = 2(1.50) = 9.42 rad/sec. From the
relation
2
= k/m we determine the mass:
m =
k

2
=
2450
(9.42)
2
= 28 kg
2. [25 points] Two charged thin concentric spherical shells have radii 10 cm
and 20 cm, respectively. The charge on the inner shell is +6 nC, whereas
the charge on the outer shell is +12 nC. Find the electric eld at these
distances from the center of the shells.
r = 15cm
r = 30 cm
Solution:
For a concentric spherical Gaussian surface of radius r, Gausss Law yields

0
I

E

dS = Q
enc

0
(4r
2
)E
r
= Q
enc
E
r
=
kQ
eenc
r
2
For r = 15 cm, Q
enc
= 6 nC, so that
E
r
=
(910
9
) (610
9
)
(0.15)
2
= 2400 N/C.
For r = 30 cm, Q
enc
= 18 nC, so that
E
r
=
(910
9
) (1810
9
)
(0.30)
2
= 1800 N/C.
3. [25 points] An air-lled parallel-plate capacitor has a capacitance of C
0
=
1.5 pF. The separation between plates d is doubled, and a dielectric mate-
rial is inserted between the plates. The new capacitance is C
1
= 6.0 pF.
Determine the dielectric constant of the material.
If charges of 3 microCoulombs (mC) remain on the plates of the
capacitor throughout this process, calculate the energy stored in the
capacitor (in Joules) in the beginning and in the end.
Solution:
The capacitance of the air-lled capacitor is C
0
=
0
A/d, whereas for the
dielectric-lled capacitor we obtain C
1
=
0
A/(2d). It follows that
C
1
/C
0
= /2 = 4
Thus, the dielectric constant is = 8.
The energy originally stored in the capacitor is
U
0
=
Q
2
0
2C
0
=
(310
6
)
2
2(1.510
12
)
= 3 J
The energy stored at the end is
U
1
=
Q
2
0
2C
1
=
(310
6
)
2
2 (610
12
)
= 0.75 J
4. [25 points] In a certain cyclotron, protons move in a circle of radius 0.5
meters. The magnitude of the magnetic eld is 3.0 T, and the direction of
the eld is perpendicular to the orbital plane.
What is the oscillator frequency?
What is the speed of the protons, in meters per second?
What is the kinetic energy of the protons, in electron Volts?
Solution:
It follows from the Lorentz force relation that
mv
2
r
= qvb
=
v
r
=
qB
m
=
(1.610
19
) 3
1.6710
27
= 2.8710
8
rad/sec
The corresponding frequency is f = /(2) = 46 MHz. The speed of the
protons at ejection is v = R = (2.87 10
8
) (0.5) = 1.5 10
8
m/s. The
corresponding kinetic energy is
K =
1
2
mv
2
=
1
2
(1.6710
27
)(1.4410
8
)
2
= 106 MeV
Although this is nearly half the speed of light, the non-relativistic approxi-
mation is fairly good.
5. [25 points] the inductance of a closely wound coil is such that an EMF of
3.0 mV is induced when the current changes at the rate of 5.0 Amps per
second. A steady current of 1.0 Amps through the coil produces a ux of
4.010
5
Webers through each turn.
Calculate the inductance of the coil, in Henries.
How many turns N are there in the coil?
Solution:
From Faradays Law,
E =
d
dt
=L
dI
dt
it follows that the inductance is L = (3 10
3
)/5 = 6 10
4
H. The ux
per turn is
0
= BA = 410
5
W. Thus,
N
0
= = LI
N (410
5
) = (610
4
)1
N = 15 turns
6. [25 points] As a parallel-plate capacitor with circular plates 30 cm in diame-
ter is being charged, the current density of the displacement current between
the plates is uniform and has a magnitude of J
d
= 20 A/m
2
.
Calculate the magnitude of the magnetic eld B at a distance of 4 =
20cm from the center of symmetry of this region.
Calculate dE/dt in this region.
Solution:
The displacement current passing through a concentric ring of radius r is
I
d
=r
2
J
d
=(0.2)
2
(20) 1.41 A
According to Maxwells extension of Ampres Law
I

B

d =
0
I
d
B
t
(2r) =
0
I
d
B
t
=

o
I
d
2r
=
(410
7
) (1/41
2(02)
= 1.4110
6
T
From the relation
I
d
=
0
Z

E
t

dS =
0
A
E
t
We obtain
J
d
=
0
E
t
or
E
t
=
J
d

0
=
20
8.8510
12
= 2.310
12
V
ms
7. [Extra credit; 10 points] You are standing at a distance D from an isotropic
point source of sound. You walk 100 meters directly toward the source, and
observe that the intensity of sound has doubled. Calculate the distance D.
Solution:
The intensity I of isotropically produced sound at a distance Dfrom a source
of acoustic power P is I = P/(4D
2
). At distance D100 the intensity is
2I, so that 2I = P/(4(D100)
2
). Consequently
P = 4D
2
I = 8(D100)
2
I
D
2
= 2(D100)
2
D =

2(D100)
D =
100
11/

2
= 100(2+

2) = 340 m
PHYS 221 - 005/006, Final Examination, 14 December 2006
1. [25 points] A nylon guitar string has a linear density of = 6.0 g/m and is
under a tension T = 120 N. The xed supports are a distance D = 80 cm
apart. The string is oscillating in a standing wave pattern consisting of
three loops. Calculate the speed, wavelength, and frequency of the trav-
eling waves whose superposition gives this standing wave.
Solution:
Each loop corresponds to a half-wavelength, so that D = 3/2, or = 2/3
80 = 53 cm. The velocity of transverse vibrations is
v =

=
_
120
0.006
=

200000 = 140 m/s

The transverse displacement y(x, t) is given by
y = Asin
3x
D
sint =
A
2
[cos(kx t) kx +t)]
The frequency of vibration is f = v/ = 140/0.53 = 265 Hz.
2. [25 points] Two particles, each with charges +12nC, are placed at two of
the vertices of an equilateral triangle with edge length a = 0.5 meters.
What is the magnitude and direction of the electric eld at the third
vertex of the triangle?
What is the electrostatic potential at that point?
Solution:
The electric eld at the third vertex is the sum of the elds produced by the
two charges:

E =

E
1
+

E
2
. From symmetry, the eld lies along the altitude
to the side joining the charges, and away from the triangle. The magnitude
of each of the elds is E
1
= E
2
= kQ/a
2
. The magnitude of the total eld is
E = 2E
1
cos30
o
=

3kQ/a
2
=

3(910
9
) (1210
9
)/(0.5)
2
= 720 V/m
The electric potential at the vertex is
V =V
1
+V
2
= 2kQ/a = 2(910
9
) (1210
9
)/(0.5) = 432 V
3. [25 points] An RC circuit is connected across a 20 Volt battery, and the
switch is closed at time t = 0. The resistance is R = 2000 Ohms, and the
capacitance is C = 80 microFarads.
What is the nal charge on the capacitor, in Coulombs?
At what time after the switch is closed is the capacitor charged to half
of its nal value?
Solution:
The equilibrium charge on the capacitor is Q
0
=CV =20 810
5
=1.6
10
3
C. The time constant for this circuit is = RC =210
3
810
5
=
0.16 sec. The charge on the capacitor at time is Q(t):
Q(t) = Q
0
_
1e
t/
_
Q
0
2
= Q
0
_
1e
t/
_
1
2
= e
t/
ln2 =
t

t = 0.69 0.16 = 0.11 sec

4. [25 points] A long solenoid with n = 5000 turns per meter carries a current
I. An electron moves within the solenoid in a circle of radius R = 3.0 cm,
perpendicular to the solenoid axis. The speed of the electron is v = 10
6
meters/second. Find the current in the solenoid.
Solution:
The Lorentz force relation

F = ma = q

B yields the relation

mv
2
r
= qvB
B =
mv
qR
=
(9.110
31
) 10
6
(1.610
19
) (0.03)
= 1.910
4
T
It follows from Ampres Law that
B =
0
nI
I =
B

0
n
=
1.910
4
(410
7
) (510
3
)
= 0.03 A
5. [25 points] In an oscillating LC circuit, with L = 8.0 mH and C = 2.0 F.
At time t = 0, the current is maximum at 20 mA.
What is the maximum charge on the capacitor during the oscillations?
At what earliest time t > 0 is the rate of change of energy in the ca-
pacitor a maximum? What is that maximum rate of change, in Joules
per second?
Solution:
At time t = 0 the charge on the capacitor is Q
0
= 0, whereas the current in
the inductor is I
0
= 0.02 A. According to Kirchhoffs loop equation,
L
dI
dt
+
Q
C
= 0
d
2
Q
dt
2
+
1
LC
Q = 0
The angular frequency of (harmonic) oscillation of charge is
=
1

LC
=
1
_
(810
5
)(210
8
)
= 7900 rad/sec
Thus
Q(t) = Q
0
sint
I(t) = Q
0
cost
It follows that the maximum charge on the capacitor is
Q
0
= I
0
= 0.02/7900 = 2.610
6
C
The energy in the capacitor at time t is U(t):
U(t) =
Q(t)
2
2C
=
Q
2
0
2C
sin
2
t
U

(t) =
Q
2
0
C
sint cost =
Q
2
0
2C
sin(2t)
The maximum rate of change is
U

max
= Q
2
0
/(2c) = (7900)(2.510
6
)
2
/(410
6
) = 2.510
2
J
6. [25 points] The index of refraction of Benzene is n = 1.8.
If a small coin lies at a depth of d = 15 cm in a pool of Benzene,
determine the apparent depth y of the coin, as seen from above.
What is the critical angle for a light ray traveling in Benzene toward a
layer of air above the Benzene.
Solution:
If a light ray is incident from above at a small angle to the vertical direc-
tion, it is refracted to an angle to the vertical:
sin = nsin
tan ntan
x
y
n
x
d
y
d
n
=
15
1.8
= 8 cm
Note that the apparent horizontal location x of the coin is unaffected by
refraction.
The critical angle in Benzene is determined by the relation
nsin = sin90
o
= 1
sin =
1
n
=
1
.8
= 0.55
= 33.7
o
7. [Extra Credit; 10 points] How much work is required to assemble four
charges Q=5 nC at the vertices of a square of side a =0.2 meters? Assume
that the charges are innitely far apart before this assembly.
Solution:
The potential energy stored in a conguration of charges q
i
is a sum of the
potential energies for each pair of charges:
U = k

i<j
q
i
q
j
r
i j
Four of pairs of charges are separated by a distance a, whereas the separa-
tion of other two pairs is

2a. Thus
U = 4k
Q
2
a
+2k
Q
2

2a
=
kQ
2
a
(4+

2)
=
(910
9
) (510
9
)
2
0.2
(4+

2) = 6.110
6
J